Shreveport plans chlorine burn to kill killer amoeba

Sunday, January 5, 2014

SHREVEPORT, La. - Shreveport residents may notice more chlorine in their tap water as the city takes precautions against a brain-eating amoeba found last year in DeSoto Parish water.

City water and sewerage spokeswoman Janet Jackson says Shreveport has always kept disinfection levels at or above new levels called for by the state Department of Health and Hospitals, and the amoeba has never been found in city water.

But she says the city will pump extra chlorine for 30 to 45 days to comply with a statewide order from the health department. The "free chlorine burn" starts Monday.

Jackson says water may include small rust particles but it will remain safe to drink.

The amoeba killed three people in 2011 and 2013 -- one in DeSoto Parish and two in St. Bernard Parish.